Polytech bucks trend: more enrol

Otago Polytechnic has exceeded its enrolment expectations
for this year, bucking a national trend of declining student
numbers.

A report tabled at an Otago Polytechnic council meeting
yesterday showed that for the year to the end of June, 3583
equivalent full-time students (EFTS) had enrolled, which was
122.8 EFTS better than the 3460.2 expected in its budget.

Chief executive Phil Ker said the polytechnic's popularity
was the result of "significant effort" to build its
reputation and the quality of the programmes it offered.

This push had resulted in it climbing to the top of the
quality rankings as measured by the Tertiary Education
Commission and New Zealand Qualifications Authority compared
with other polytechnics.

Another reason it had performed well was the popularity of
its trades courses, with many students in the trades
anticipating getting jobs rebuilding Christchurch.

Enrolments at the polytechnic went against a national trend
and he was aware of only one other polytechnic - WelTec in
Wellington - that had strong enrolments this year.

The polytechnic hoped the Government would fund more students
in the polytechnic's trades courses next year allowing
further growth.

This year, the Government funded an extra 80 EFTS in
"priority trades" at the polytechnic.

Another 100 EFTS enrolments were expected by the end of this
year, Mr Ker said.

The polytechnic was also pleased with its financial
performance so far this year.

It had an operating surplus of $2.415 million in the year to
the end of June, $669,000 better than budgeted.